(Just Like) Starting Over by John Lennon Lyrics Meaning – Unveiling the Layers of Love’s Renewal
Lyrics
We have grown, we have grown
Although our love is still special
Let’s take a chance and fly away somewhere alone
It’s been too long since we took the time
No-one’s to blame, I know time flies so quickly
But when I see you darling
It’s like we both are falling in love again
It’ll be just like starting over, starting over
Everyday we used to make it love
Why can’t we be making love nice and easy
It’s time to spread our wings and fly
Don’t let another day go by my love
It’ll be just like starting over, starting over
Why don’t we take off alone
Take a trip somewhere far, far away
We’ll be together all alone again
Like we used to in the early days
Well, well, well darling
It’s been too long since we took the time
No-one’s to blame, I know time flies so quickly
But when I see you darling
It’s like we both are falling in love again
It’ll be just like starting over, starting over
Our life together is so precious together
We have grown, we have grown
Although our love is still special
Let’s take a chance and fly away somewhere
Starting over
Amidst the bustle of his post-Beatles career, John Lennon crafted a ballad that feels both intimately familiar and refreshingly optimistic. (Just Like) Starting Over is an artful ode to love’s enduring flame, a testament to the invigorating power of rekindling passion within a longstanding relationship. With a blend of nostalgia and anticipation, Lennon invites listeners into a deeply personal yet universally relatable experience of love in its many seasons.
But beyond its melodic lines and soothing harmonies lies a profound exploration of human emotion and connection. The song, released shortly before Lennon’s untimely death in 1980, serves as a poignant reminder of the artist’s introspective nature and his unabashed willingness to express vulnerability. As we peel back the layers of this evocative piece, what emerges is a multifaceted portrait of love’s capacity to transform and regenerate over time.
Rediscovering Love’s Spark in the Mundane
Lennon’s anthem to reinvention within the realms of romance speaks to the often-overlooked magic of the day-to-day. In the rush of life’s demands, the daily rituals of love can become rote, losing the luster they once held. Through his lyrics, Lennon advocates for revisiting these moments with fresh eyes, suggesting that even ‘making love nice and easy’ is an art that should be consciously cultivated and cherished with the earnestness of new love.
It’s in the simple decision to ‘take a trip somewhere far, far away’ where Lennon pinpoints the potential for lovers to assume the roles of both old confidants and new acquaintances. The proposed escapade is a metaphor for stepping outside of the comfortable patterns that relationships often settle into, reigniting the very sparks that once set them ablaze.
The Unspoken Narrative: Between the Lines of Lennon’s Lyrics
Venturing beyond the palpable romantic theme, (Just Like) Starting Over encapsulates a deeper, more nuanced narrative. Perhaps Lennon, acknowledged for his profound social commentary, is hinting at a broader philosophy — one that underlines the importance of continuous self-reinvention and the embracing of change. It’s a celebration of the resilience required to renew oneself and one’s relationships in the face of an ever-evolving world.
This could also be read as a subtle acknowledgment of Lennon’s personal journey. There had been a five-year hiatus in his musical career preceding the release of this song, largely spent in domestic bliss with Yoko Ono. In this light, the song transforms into an intimate ledger of his private revolution — a peaceful resolution to begin anew, musically and personally.
The Lyrical Symmetry and Its Echo of Continuity
Lennon’s command over the lyricism in this piece is undeniable. The mirrored stanzas, opening and closing with the line ‘Our life together is so precious together,’ hallmark a symmetry that underlines the theme of cyclicality found in lasting love and life itself. Just like the seasons, relationships may wane, but with conscious effort, they can be renewed, blossoming into something even more beautiful.
Moreover, the repetition fosters a meditative quality, prompting introspection on the audience’s part about the nature of their own bonds. It plays like a gentle nudge – a reminder to treasure and actively maintain the love that graces one’s life.
Uncovering the Hidden Gems: The Song’s Understated Brilliance
It’s the song’s ability to blend the personal with the universal that marks its hidden brilliance. On the surface, it chronicles the intention to rekindle a romantic connection, but at its core, the song is a profound reflection on human nature’s capacity for growth, understanding, and renewal. As Lennon insists that it’s ‘like we both are falling in love again,’ we’re reminded that the act of falling in love is not a one-time event, but an ongoing, repeated journey.
Amid the song’s gentle rhythmic rise and fall, there’s a steadiness that mirrors the determination required to embark on this journey of starting over. It is in this persistent undulation that we find the quiet energy fuelling two people’s commitment to continually rediscover one another.
Memorable Lines That Seize the Heart
‘It’s been too long since we took the time, no one’s to blame, I know time flies so quickly,’ sings Lennon, evoking a sense of urgency and responsibility. These lines resonate deeply, serving as an impassioned plea for us not to let complacency set in. The beloved musician is acutely aware of the inexorable passage of time, preaching the gospel of seizing the moment before it slips away, an ever-relevant message that transcends eras and genres.
By wrapping this insight in an accessible yet profound lyrical embrace, (Just Like) Starting Over lives as a timeless emblem of love’s resilience. The poignant honesty contained within these lines is what lodges this tune in the collective consciousness, elevating it from a mere song to a moving narrative on the art of love’s maintenance.
